Multi-instrumentalist Jason Krekel, born in Louisville, Kentucky, moved early in his life to Nashville, Tennessee, so his father Tim Krekel could be closer to his work as one of the influential songwriters of the area, penning hits for country superstars such as Crystal Gail and Patty Lovelace, and working as a session guitarist for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band for years. It is no surprise that Krekel would follow his father’s footsteps, forging his own path in the music scene.

By 1995, Krekel had helped form and played mandolin in the Snake Oil Medicine Show. He also was host to many acoustic side projects, such as the Cygnus X-1 Blackhole Bluegrass Boyz, a weekly favorite from 1995 until 1998, that defined the town of Boone, North Carolina, as a musical hot spot. He also performed as background musician and actor in the Blowing Rock Stage Company’s production of The Cotton Patch Gospel as well as the controversial Pope Joan play at Appalachian State University. By 1998, Krekel had moved on to the ranks of the Larry Keel Experience and toured constantly with that band until February 2000.

Krekel currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina. His skills on guitar, tenor banjo, fiddle, and mandolin allow him to be involved in diverse projects. He now plays regularly with the Firecracker Jazz Band as well as Mad Tea Party. Krekel has toured with Baby Gramps, and even appeared with him on the David Letterman Show. He explores the limits of the acoustic tradition from around the world, and he has performed in Europe and Jamaica as well as all corners of the United States.

Krekel is also a part of Hand-Cranked Letterpress Company, where he creates hand-made ephemera on an old printing press. He utilizes his artistic skills to create the graphic look for Mad Tea Party which perfectly compliments the band's “Nutty, Naughty, Nostalgic” appeal.

"In person, Jason can appear quiet and reserved, but onstage his music is explosive, imaginative and wonderfully improvisational." — Bluegrassjam.net